SC-based chief arrested on child porn charges

Oct. 4, 2013 - 06:00AM
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Berry ()

A South Carolina-based chief petty officer is facing multiple child pornography charges following his Wednesday arrest.

Authorities arrested Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Justin Eugene Berry, 36, on five counts involving the sexual exploitation of minors, according to a Thursday news release from the South Carolina attorney generalís office.

On Dec. 31, Berry allegedly distributed files containing child pornography to an undercover South Carolina law enforcement officer working on behalf of the Justice Departmentís Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the release said.

Berry enlisted in 1994 and has been assigned to the Navyís Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston since March 2012, according to personnel records. He previously served on the attack submarines Albuquerque, San Francisco and Jefferson City.

He made chief in 2009. His awards include five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and three Good Conduct Medals.

Berry could face up to 10 years in prison for each of the five charges against him. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service has been notified of his arrest, the release said.